Clay County Felony Records
Clay County felony records are held by the District Clerk's Office in Henrietta, Texas. All felony criminal cases in the county go through the 97th District Court. This page covers how to find, search, and request these records using both local and statewide tools.
Clay County Overview
Clay County District Clerk Office
The Clay County District Clerk's Office is at the Clay County Courthouse in Henrietta, Texas. The District Clerk files, indexes, and maintains all felony criminal case records in the county. The office issues process documents such as subpoenas and citations, coordinates grand jury proceedings, and provides certified and plain copies of court records to the public. All felony convictions are reported to the Texas DPS as required by state law.
Clay County is a small rural county in north-central Texas near the Red River. The 97th District Court also serves Archer, Jack, Montague, and Wichita Counties on a rotating basis. Because the judge rotates among several counties, check with the District Clerk's Office to confirm when the court is scheduled to sit in Clay County for any pending hearing or trial. The courthouse is at 100 N. Bridge St., Henrietta, TX 76365. Phone: (940) 538-4631.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 PM in some rural offices. Confirm hours by phone before visiting. Bring a valid photo ID for any in-person records request.
Note: Clay County does not have a standalone online records portal. Use re:SearchTX or contact the District Clerk directly to access case information.
97th District Court Felony Jurisdiction
The 97th District Court handles all felony criminal cases filed in Clay County. The court also covers Archer, Jack, Montague, and Wichita Counties, rotating through each on a set schedule. Cases are filed and indexed in Clay County when the offense occurred or the defendant resided in Clay County. The District Clerk in Henrietta maintains custody of all case files regardless of when the court physically sits in the county.
Texas felony classifications apply in Clay County just as in all other Texas counties. State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years. Third-degree felonies run 2 to 10 years. Second-degree felonies carry 2 to 20 years. First-degree felonies can result in 5 to 99 years or life. Capital felonies may result in death or life without parole. Fines of up to $10,000 may also be imposed for most felony classifications.
A grand jury in Clay County reviews cases referred by the District Attorney. If an indictment is returned, the case is filed in the District Clerk's office and assigned a cause number. From that point, every filing in the case is added to the file and becomes part of the public record. The final judgment, including any sentence or disposition, is also filed with the clerk and remains public unless sealed or expunged.
Searching Clay County Felony Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the primary online tool for searching Clay County criminal records. It is free and covers all 254 Texas counties. Select Clay County from the location menu and search by defendant name or cause number. Results show case type, filing date, charges, and current status. Docket entries display the timeline of filings in each case.
For document images, re:SearchTX sometimes shows scanned documents but availability varies by county and case age. Older cases or smaller counties may have limited document images. For the full case file or specific documents, contact the Clay County District Clerk by phone at (940) 538-4631 or visit in person.
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service provides a broader criminal history search that pulls from statewide conviction data for $3 per name search. This is useful when you want a full picture of a person's criminal history across all Texas counties, not just Clay County. A CRS Public Website Account is required before running a search.
Requesting Clay County Court Records by Mail or In Person
In-person requests can be made at the Clay County Courthouse, 100 N. Bridge St., Henrietta, TX 76365. Bring a photo ID. Give the clerk the defendant's name or cause number. Staff will find the case file and provide copies for the standard fee. Plain copies are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5 per document certification fee.
Mail requests require a written letter with the defendant's name, approximate filing year, cause number if available, and a description of needed documents. Include payment. Send to: Clay County District Clerk, 100 N. Bridge St., Henrietta, TX 76365. Allow two weeks for processing. If you need the records quickly, an in-person visit or a phone call to confirm availability is your best option.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Texas Public Information Act requires government agencies to respond to records requests within 10 business days. If a request is denied, the denial must be explained in writing. You can challenge any denial through the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Statewide Resources for Clay County Records
The TDCJ offender search shows current status for anyone in Texas state prison. Search by name or TDCJ number. The system displays the unit, offense, and projected release date. If a Clay County defendant was sentenced to prison, this is the fastest way to confirm where they are.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by Clay County and displays current registration data for all registered offenders. Search by county name, city, or zip code.
For questions about your rights to access public records, the Texas Attorney General's Open Government page provides full guidance. The AG's Office can also assist when a government body refuses a legitimate records request.
Nearby Counties
Clay County borders several north Texas counties. Use the links below to find felony records information for neighboring areas.